ALCOHOL DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE

• US 20100043524A1
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: TAKATA, Takashi
• Granted Patent: US 8,201,437 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/23.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06

Abstract

An alcohol detection system for a vehicle has an alcohol sensor, for which alcohol measurement preparation processing such as heating the alcohol sensor to a predetermined temperature is performed, so that the alcohol sensor operates under the stable operation state. The alcohol measurement preparation processing is started, before a driver actually gets in the vehicle. For example, the preparation processing is started, when a predetermined manipulation of a driver on the vehicle before entering the vehicle is detected. The manipulation may be unlocking or opening of a vehicle door.

Claims

1. An alcohol detection system for a vehicle comprising:

alcohol detection means configured to detect alcohol concentration in breath air of a driver seating in a vehicle;

preparation means configured to perform alcohol measurement preparation operation, which changes the alcohol detection means from an initial state to a predetermined stable operation state;

travel control means configured to permit normal travel of the vehicle when alcohol concentration measured under the predetermined stable operation state is below a threshold level, and prohibit travel of the vehicle over a predetermined travel speed when the alcohol concentration is over the threshold level;

signal detection means configured to detect a pre-driving output signal outputted necessarily before an engine switch is manipulated; and

start instruction means configured to instruct the preparation means to start the measurement preparation operation when the pre-driving output signal is detected by the signal detection means.

2. The alcohol detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the alcohol detection means includes a measurement chamber for receiving the breath air of the driver to be measured and a fan for exhausting residual gas in the measurement chamber; and

the preparation means is configured to drive the fan as the measurement preparation operation.

3. The alcohol detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the preparation means is configured to heat a predetermined sensor part of the alcohol detection means to a predetermined temperature, which corresponds to the stable operation state.

4. The alcohol detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a signal generated before the driver opens a door of the vehicle to enter a compartment of the vehicle.

5. The alcohol detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a predetermined signal generated when the driver performs a predetermined operation required before operating the engine switch.

6. The alcohol detection system according to claim 5, wherein:

the signal detection means is operatively coupled with a smart entry system of the vehicle, which transmits a polling wave in a predetermined key search area around the vehicle, checks an ID code received from a portable key in response to the polling wave, permits unlocking of a door based on a check result of the ID code, and unlocks the door in response to detection of a predetermined door unlock operation of the driver; and

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a signal generated in the smart entry system in response to reception of a radio signal transmitted from the portable key or a signal generated in a course of operation performed in the smart entry system following the reception of a radio signal.

7. The alcohol detection system according to claim 6, wherein:

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a signal generated in the smart entry system to indicate permission of the unlocking of a door.

8. The alcohol detection system according to claim 6, wherein:

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a signal generated in the smart entry system in response to the detection of a predetermined door unlock operation under a condition that the unlocking of a door is permitted.

9. The alcohol detection system according to claim 5, wherein:

the signal detection means is operatively coupled with a keyless entry system of the vehicle, which receives a door unlock request signal and an ID code from a portable key of the driver, checks the ID code, and unlocks a door based on a check result of the ID code and the door unlock request signal; and

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving 5 output signal, a signal generated in the keyless entry system in response to reception of a radio signal transmitted from the portable key or a signal generated in a course of operation performed in the keyless entry system following the reception of a radio signal.

10. The alcohol detection system according to claim 9, wherein:

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a signal generated in the keyless entry system to unlock the door based on the check result of the ID code and the door unlock request signal.

11. The alcohol detection system according to claim 5, wherein:

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a predetermined signal generated when a door of the vehicle is unlocked in response to a predetermined door unlocking manipulation of the driver performed before entering a compartment.

12. The alcohol detection system according to claim 5, wherein:

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a predetermined signal generated when a door of the vehicle is opened from a closed state before entering a compartment.

13. The alcohol detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the signal detection means is configured to detect, as the pre-driving output signal, a time signal generated a predetermined time period before reference time indicating start of operation of the vehicle.

16. The alcohol detection method according to claim 12, wherein:

the predetermined operation includes reception of a radio signal transmitted from an outside of the vehicle, the radio signal indicating that the vehicle is used by the driver.

14. An alcohol detection method for a vehicle comprising:

detecting a predetermined operation, which a driver of a vehicle is required to perform before entering a compartment of the vehicle;

performing a preparation operation on an alcohol sensor provided in the vehicle in response to detection of the predetermined operation of the driver, the preparation operation being for driving the alcohol sensor to a stable operation state;

checking alcohol in a breath air of the driver in the compartment after the preparation operation is performed; and

limiting vehicle operation when a result of checking the alcohol indicates alcohol concentration in excess of a predetermined level.

15. The alcohol detection method according to claim 14, wherein:

the predetermined operation includes unlocking or opening of a door of the vehicle.